An Assessment Of The Physiological Quality Of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L Moench) Seeds Planted By Farmers In Bomet District Of Kenya

View/Open

Date

Author

Metadata

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an important crop that enhances food
security in a region. As a food crop, sorghum is nutritious, containing starch (75-79%)
as the major component, followed by protein (6.0-16.1%) and oil (2.1-5.0%). Despite
the crop’s versatility, it is regrettable that sorghum yields are still fairly low in Bomet
District of Kenya. One of the constraints associated with low yields is the accessibility
to good quality seeds by farmers. It was assumed in this study that use of low quality
seed was among the factors that could be significantly affecting the low production of
sorghum in the district. This study focused on the physiological quality of seed which
refers to the germination capacity, viability, characteristics related to dormancy and
vigour of the seed. A total of 100 farmers were interviewed and 80 seed samples were
obtained from 80 farmers. The seeds were subjected to viability and vigour quality
tests. These tests included germination (as a viability test); mean germination time
and electrical conductivity tests (as vigour tests). About 29% of the seed samples
taken for germination test were below the laboratory standards as stipulated in the
seeds and Plant Varieties Act (CAP 326). Critical electrical conductivity values and
critical mean germination time values were derived during the study. In accordance
with the critical values arrived at in this study, 27.5% of the seed samples showed
relatively high electrical conductivity readings and 36.3% of the seed samples showed
longer mean germination time. However, 11.3% of the seed samples showed high
germination percentages of above 90%. Since about 29% of farmers seeds were of
bad physiological quality, it was concluded that this proportion of seed can result in
poor yields and hence cause food insecurity to the people of the society, and thus
requires further consideration for improvement. This study recommends that further
research be conducted on the genetic, physical and sanitary quality aspects of seed
planted by farmers in Bomet District so that a definite conclusive statement about the
quality of seed planted by farmers in the District can be made.